Some 450 pupils of a Fife high school have been told to self-isolate for most of the October holiday.
As the number of cases linked with Beath High School rose to 15, it emerged that more than a third its pupil population had been advised to isolate.
Two more schools and a nursery in the region – Tayport Primary School, Madras College and Rimbleton Primary School nursery – are also the latest to have people test positive for coronavirus.
After children and staff broke off for the two-week holiday, Beath High School issued a message to those required to stay at home for most of it.
It Tweeted: “Shout out to the 450 Beath pupils instructed to self-isolate for the majority of their holiday by Public Health Scotland via our Groupcall system.
“We’re thinking of you all during this challenging situation.”
Happy October Holidays!
Shout out to the 450 Beath pupils instructed to self-isolate for the majority of their holiday by Public Health Scotland via our Groupcall system
We are thinking of you all during this challenging situation
We’ll see everyone back at Beath Mon 26 Oct 💙
— Beath High School (@Beath_HS) October 10, 2020
The number of pupils from other schools currently isolating has not been published but a week ago Kirkcaldy High School said 100 of its pupils had been asked to do so due to two cases there.
Fife Council said enhanced cleaning was being carried out and pupils would be reminded on their return of virus prevention measures.
Head of education and children’s services Shelagh McLean said: “We are working closely with colleagues in NHS Fife and Public Health Scotland to keep our school communities safe.
“Pupils are being advised to isolate as a precaution to help stop the wider spread of the virus and information has been sent directly to affected pupils and parents.
We are working closely with colleagues in NHS Fife and Public Health Scotland to keep our school communities safe.”
Shelagh McLean, Fife Council
“Enhanced cleaning measures are in place and after the holidays all staff and pupils will be reminded of the importance of the need to keep two-metre distance, hand hygiene, using surface wipes before and after using equipment and the need to wear face masks in communal areas, on school transport and where two-metre distancing can’t be maintained.”
During the last week of September there were 219 children aged 12 to 17 diagnosed in Scotland, with 11.1% of tests returning a positive result.
Single cases at the other Fife schools were confirmed by NHS Fife late on Sunday night.
Pupils in P5/6 (room 6) at Tayport, identified close contacts at the St Andrews secondary and children in the nursery’s Rainbow Room have been asked to self-isolate.
NHS Fife and Fife Council are posting regular updates on schools and nurseries linked to positive cases of COVID-19. Update for 11 October 2020 can be viewed at:https://t.co/LRWNugcqy5#WeAreScotland pic.twitter.com/uNoAiN5jtg
— NHS Fife (@nhsfife) October 11, 2020
Parents were directed by NHS Fife for more information to questions and answers on the council’s website and a local online support hub created to provide information on testing and updates on the pandemic.
A reminder was issued that anyone with symptoms of the virus – a fever, new and continuous cough, or a loss or change in the sense of taste or smell – should arrange testing using the UK Government Citizens’ Portal or by calling 0800 028 2816.
Coronavirus in schools: Track the spread in staff and pupils in Tayside and Fife